My thoughts on the Hudson situation
That article confirms that Hudson had a swastika drawn on his forehead by someone else as a teenager during a "campout" tradition, and suddenly people are acting like there is absolutely no room to consider growth or context? It's so frustrating the way fandom spaces handle nuance.
Before anyone twists this: no, a swastika is not harmless. No, “kids being kids” does not magically erase the fact that it’s a symbol of hate and violence. People are completely justified in feeling disturbed, disappointed, or unwilling to engage anymore.
But what I genuinely do not understand is the refusal to ask: what has Hudson done recently, as an adult, that makes people believe he still holds those beliefs? Because if there’s evidence of current behavior, say that.
This is someone who has repeatedly spoken about lack of asian representation in media. Someone whose book recommendations and public commentary have consistently leaned toward empathy, social awareness, and perspectives outside of his own. Someone who, at least publicly, has not built a pattern of racist behavior as an adult. And before anyone brings up the grills at the Met Gala: I’m aware. But let’s not act like other celebrities haven’t worn grills as fashion accessories too.
Is it really impossible to believe that a teenager in a predominantly white, small town might participate in ugly, ignorant behavior and later grow out of it? Unfortunately, that story is not rare. It doesn’t excuse it. It contextualizes it. And I think that distinction matters!!!
People contain contradictions. Growth is messy. When we’re talking about something from adolescence (and, from what we’ve seen in those pictures, there are barely any POC besides one other Asian girl - which feels relevant contextually), I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask whether a person should be permanently frozen at their worst teenage moment.
Also, the “why did he only comment publicly about stopping RPF” thing… I’m sorry, but that’s how I know some of y’all only suddenly care because you want to feel morally justified going back to shipping. Because if your biggest takeaway from all this is “but what about my ship,” then idk what to tell you.
And if you don’t want to stan him anymore, then just do it and leave. We don't need the long goodbye posts... literally just change your username and go 😭
